A Time of Miracles by Anne-Laure Bondoux


A Time of Miracles
1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bondoux, Anne-Laure. 2009. Translated by Y. Maudet. A Time of Miracles. New York, NY: Delacorte Press. ISBN 978-0385739221

2.  PLOT SUMMARY


Gloria and Koumaïl escape war torn Georgian Republic and travel for nearly eight years before they pair reaches France.  Gloria maintains throughout this journey that she rescued Koumaïl "There's nothing wrong with making up stories to make life more bearable," says Gloria.  She tells Koumaïl that his true given name is Blaise Fortune and that he is a citizen of France.  When they finally arrive in France when Koumaïl is twelve years old, she quickly disappears. Over the years Koumaïl, now known as Blaise, discovers the truth of his life and of the woman who called him her “little miracle.”

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Anne-Laure Bondoux, the award-winning author, has written a must-read novel that addresses the extent of a mother’s love for her child. Her approach to the issues that arise when a family lives in a region ravaged by war feels authentic in many ways.  The story realistically portrays the everyday challenges that Gloria and Koumaïl faced over their eight year journey to France. These distinct challenges are unique to people inhabiting a politically unstable region.

The heartbreaking scene in which Koumaïl wakes up and shouts his French name insisting that he is a rightful citizen of France indicates that the stories told by Gloria were ingrained in Koumaïl’s thoughts. By the end of the story, the reader begins to fully appreciate the role that Gloria took in securing Koumaïl’s freedom and safety. The book successfully addresses the challenges faced by families experiencing political upheaval. The lack of stability that Koumaïl and Gloria experience for eight years is poignantly disclosed page after page of the book.

Y. Maudet's translation from the original French version maintained the authentic voice needed to share this incredible story. While the book would be categorized as a young adult book, some of the more nuanced elements of the story that focus on maternal love may be lost on younger readers.  As a whole, this is a remarkable story about the challenges of living in a war-torn region of the world and the degree to which a parent will go to protect their child from political tumult.



4.  REVIEW EXCERPTS 
  • Batchelder Award - Winner 2011
  • ALA Notable Books for Children - Winner 2010

Starred review from Kirkus: "A beautifully cadenced tribute to maternal love and the power of stories amid contemporary political chaos."

Starred review from Publishers Weekly: "...beautifully nuanced novel.. a memorable entourage of fellow refugees with poignant stories of their own...splendidly translated novel..."

Starred review from School Library Journal: "The story is written in beautiful, quiet prose and offers a touch of hope, along with tragedy. The characters and story are well formed, but young people unfamiliar with the circumstances of life behind the Iron Curtain and the collapse of the Soviet Union might be confused as much of the conflict and political situation isn't explained until near the end of the book. However, those who stay with it will be rewarded with an exceptional story."

Starred review from Horn Book"Readers will find themselves mesmerized not only by the eloquent language but by a plot every bit as harrowing and surprising as Koumail's cherished bedtime story.


5.  CONNECTIONS

*Other books by Anne-Laure Bondoux
Life As It Comes.  ISBN 978-0440239697

The Second Life of Linus Hoppe.  ISBN 978-0440420392

*Other books that address displaced children of war
McCormick, Patricia.  Never Fall Down.  ISBN 978-0061730931
Wein, Elizabeth. Code Name Verity. ISBN 978-1423152880

The Killer's Tears.  ISBN 978-0385732932